Last week, I told Plays in the Dirt that I would post some images of my next trip. I didn't tell him I was about to leave for a weekend on the Kern Plateau. These are not the highest quality, as some were taken using my cell phone and the others were taken by a very tired rider. But if you've never been there, you'll get the idea.
This one is of a prescribed burn going on near Jackass Peak:
Troy Meadow:
My two dogs in Powell Meadow:
A water tank right next to the road:
Some of the riders in our group:
These are all a view from one of the several dirt roads in the area:
This area is the one often referred to as Kennedy Meadows. It's a historic motorcycle and 4X4 limited use area operated by USFS. It is now almost fully surrounded by Wilderness areas. As you can likely see, several fires swept through here in the last decade. Some of the trails and roads here were created years ago for local residents and long-term visitors to do their hunting, fishing, and exploring, and avoid having to go the long way around for their business. Nowadays, OHV enthusiasts, campers, rockhounds, birdwatchers, hikers, and backpackers also use the trails and roads to recreate. It's a shared use of public lands that seems to work quite well. There has been an ongoing forest fire north of our location that has been going on for a month. During the night, the local winds would shift, and the smoke and ash was detectable by morning. Most of the singletrack trails are fairly technical, so speeds are usually low and physical exertion is high. It's a great workout! Other than a few cases of monkey butt among those of us who don't ride as often as we once did, everyone came out unscathed. I'm looking forward to the next trip. Maybe before year's end. We'll see, as there are many things on the agenda.
Cheers!
Kern Plateau
Moderator: Jim_b
- Plays In The Dirt
- Posts: 870
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:51 pm
Re: Kern Plateau
Thank you for posting Photos of your trip Dan. I'm sure you had a great time.
- Ken@WonderValley
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:27 pm
- The middle number please (4): 7
- Location: Wonder Valley Ca 92277
- Contact:
Re: Kern Plateau
Great photos. I noticed one person in the group didn't need a green sticker
-
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:31 pm
Re: Kern Plateau
I have been to Kennedy Meadows several times. They didn't even have phone service for a long time, its by the south fork of the Kern river I believe.
Re: Kern Plateau
Thanks, PITD. We did. Still got the monkey butt, though. I guess that's what happens when we don't get out as much as we used to do.
Thanks also to Ken. There were actually four plated bikes in the group. Sadly, mine was not one of them. But it's mostly green sticker legal there.
Yes, Goldseeker. The road in from Highway 395 is called 9-Mile Canyon Rd, and from the Johnsondale side it's called Sherman Pass Rd. It crosses right over the South Fork of the Kern River. There are also a number of jeep roads that access the same river further to the north and east in the upper meadows such as Monache Meadow. All but that main road is green sticker legal, but ATVs and UTVs must remain only on dirt roads and jeep trails up higher. They cannot go on singletrack trails down lower near Troy and Kennedy Meadows. Those are reserved for two-wheelers, hikers, backpackers, and horses.
I recommend it for fishermen who like to camp for a week or the weekend. 4wd or high clearance 2wd is highly recommended for travel to the higher meadows (a Rhino is perfect). The Blackrock Ranger station has all the information you need.
Thanks also to Ken. There were actually four plated bikes in the group. Sadly, mine was not one of them. But it's mostly green sticker legal there.
Yes, Goldseeker. The road in from Highway 395 is called 9-Mile Canyon Rd, and from the Johnsondale side it's called Sherman Pass Rd. It crosses right over the South Fork of the Kern River. There are also a number of jeep roads that access the same river further to the north and east in the upper meadows such as Monache Meadow. All but that main road is green sticker legal, but ATVs and UTVs must remain only on dirt roads and jeep trails up higher. They cannot go on singletrack trails down lower near Troy and Kennedy Meadows. Those are reserved for two-wheelers, hikers, backpackers, and horses.
I recommend it for fishermen who like to camp for a week or the weekend. 4wd or high clearance 2wd is highly recommended for travel to the higher meadows (a Rhino is perfect). The Blackrock Ranger station has all the information you need.
Re: Kern Plateau
By the way, here is a link to Thumpertalk, where a guy has posted pics of his ride. He's the guy who remembered his camera, unlike me. There are several sets of pics, and you'll see why the singletrack does not accommodate quads or UTVs. The fire they refer to burning on July 8 is the very same fire that is still burning up there. It's been burning over a month.
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showth ... p?t=803430
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showth ... p?t=803430
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:58 am
- The middle number please (4): 7
- Location: L.B. CA.
Re: Kern Plateau
Your post brings back lots of memories, thanks Dan. I’m not a big fan of trees, more of a cactus guy I guess.
Back in the 70’s we used to go up into that area, Rockhouse Basin was a favorite camp area. I think the last time I was in that area was a drive to Monache Meadows, that was about 98 or 99. Maybe it’s time to go back?
Back in the 70’s we used to go up into that area, Rockhouse Basin was a favorite camp area. I think the last time I was in that area was a drive to Monache Meadows, that was about 98 or 99. Maybe it’s time to go back?
Re: Kern Plateau
It's a good time of year for the higher ground. Thanks for the post Dan. You can probably find something that will help that 'monkey butt' in the feminine hygene department. When it heals, man up a little and get back out here for another ride!
Re: Kern Plateau
By the way, this area was once used for logging operations, and may be again some day. When we used to go up there, you had to be very careful driving up 9-Mile Canyon Rd, as those logging trucks came barrelling down with full loads. There is some talk over at TTalk that someone rolled a water truck off the side of that road a few weeks ago. Guy jumped out before it went over, evidently. Lucky for him. It appears to be about a thousand foot drop in that area.
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:58 am
- The middle number please (4): 7
- Location: L.B. CA.
Re: Kern Plateau
Yeap, remember the small saw mill that used to sit off 395 and 9-mile canyon rd?Dan wrote:By the way, this area was once used for logging operations, ....